Develop strategies for funding and management
1. Develop strategies for funding.
E-rate.
1. Develop strategies for funding.
E-rate.
E-rate is a resource that I was previously unaware of. It provides schools with discounts on technology-related services.
"Based on the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the FCC created the E-Rate program to provide schools and libraries affordable access to advanced telecommunications services. This program provides discounts ranging from 20% to 90% on Telecommunications Services, Internet Access, Internal Connections, and Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections to eligible schools and libraries subject to a $2.25 billion annual cap." (TPESC, n.d.)
U.S Department of Education Grants.
There are several educational grants listed in the FY2013 President's Budget Request for the U.S. Department of Education, including the Effective Teachers and Leaders State Grant, the Expanding Educational Options Program, Career and technical education state grants, Education Improvement programs- STEM (new budget for 2013), Assessing Achievement grants, Rural Education grants, and Training and advisory services (U.S. Department of Education, 2012).
New legislation is changing the "Charter School Grant" to the "Expanding Educational Options" program.
Other grants.
Other grants are listed on the Technology Grant News website at http://technologygrantnews.com/grant-index-by-type/educational-technology-grants.html. These grants are all provided by different companies or foundations and have varying requirements to apply.
2. Develop strategies for management plans
My school currently uses JR3 for an online gradebook/attendance platform. We also use DMAC to review benchmark and TAKS/STAAR data. A technology managment platform is needed so that computer maintenance issues could be reported and addressed in an organized and efficient manner. School Help Desk software could be an option to solve this issue. (http://www.schoolhelpdesk.net/)
3. Describe the required procedures for the proposed strategies.
To obtain E-rate discounts, administrators must follow the specific procedures described on the TPESC website.
"In order to receive E-Rate discounts, schools and libraries must competitively bid all eligible services on the SLD website and after a minimum of 28 days, select the most cost effective proposal." (TPESC, n.d.)
On its website (http://www2.ed.gov/programs/gtep/index.html, the U.S. Department of Education provides a 2011 Guide to U.S. Department of Education Programs that describes who is eligible to apply for which grants. This resource is helpful for knowing how to apply for Department of Ed grants.
The grants listed on the Technology Grant News website (http://technologygrantnews.com/grant-index-by-type/educational-technology-grants.html) are all provided by different companies or foundations and have varying requirements to apply.
Obtaining the School Help Desk software costs $500.
References:
TPESC. (n.d.) E-rate. Retrieved from: http://tpesc.esc12.net/erate/default.html
References:
TPESC. (n.d.) E-rate. Retrieved from: http://tpesc.esc12.net/erate/default.html
U.S. Department of Education (2012). FY2013 President's Budget Request for the U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved from: http://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget13/13pbapt.pdf
My district is re-applying for E-rate funding to upgrade current technology. We are also seeking means to add Instructional Technology Specialists to the Instructional Technology Department. How could your school use E-rate funds?
ReplyDeleteKayla,
ReplyDeleteThe helpdesk software you mentioned sounds really interesting. I am definitely going to check it out. Our district currently uses Eduphoria online to receive our call tickets for assistance. It might be a program you might want to check into. It has Aware and Forethought in the program that allows teachers to scan tests and submit their lesson plans into.
http://www.eduphoria.net/default.aspx
Deborah
Our institution does not qualify for E-Rate but I know this really helps school districts pay for advanced technologies and services. To me, it seems like our State government should do more to offer educational “competitive” grants that are focused on providing advanced technologies. Several years back the State of Texas offered TIF grants (Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund) to help school districts and higher education institutions fund technology projects (Oder, 2003).
ReplyDeleteOder, N. (2003). TX Governor Aims To Redirect TIF. Library Journal, 128(5), 24.
RCC,
ReplyDeleteWe could use E-rate funds to obtain working computers. This is the very first step that my district needs to take. We have very few computers, and they seem to be breaking constantly.
Deborah,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip. I have heard of Eduphoria, and if I remember correctly it also keeps track of staff development hours, which would be useful.
Mike,
ReplyDeleteI agree. These grants sound like they would be very useful to my district, or any other district that needs extra funds for technology to get their campuses up to current standards.